Tornado Risk Raised

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According to the National Weather Service, the tornado risk has now moved into what I would call the serious category. Please compare the map below with the one I posted earlier this morning.
The original elevated risk, 10% chance of a tornado within 25 mi. of any given point (yellow), hasn't changed much from the earlier forecast. However, the risk has been raised to 15% (red) in the Ohio Valley. This is a fairly big deal if the forecast turns out to be correct. There is the potential for tornadoes to occur well after dark. Please call your friends in this region and make sure they are aware of the risk.

So, now I recommend taking preliminary tornado and severe storm precautions which are:
  • Make sure you have at least two sources for receiving warnings. If one includes a NOAA Weather Radio, make sure the batteries are fresh and that it is turned on. 
  • If you need a second source, the AccuWeather smartphone app will provide warnings for your area. But, if you decide you want to use it, download it now (before any storms form) and set it up. 
  • Have your computer and cell phone fully charged. 
  • Put your car in the garage and bring in trampolines and other outdoor furniture. 
  • Make sure your shelter area is ready to go with a flashlight and take your warning source into the shelter with you.
  • Wear shoes into the shelter. In the unlikely event you are hit, you don't want to be walking through glass and nails in bare feet or socks. 
While I will not be live-blogging the storms, I'll update at least once this afternoon and once this evening. 

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